Cheshire Independent Issue 213

3 MAY 2026 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk THE SILK Museum in Macclesfield has a new goal. It wants people to become part of its next exhibition by sharing their personal expe- riences of football in the town. Taking inspiration from Macclesfield FC’s recent FA Cup success and upcoming play-offs, as well as growing excitement for this summer’s World Cup, the ‘Community FC’ project will result in a unique grassroots photogra- phy exhibition celebrating local football stories. Natalie Lane, the muse- um’s education coordinator, said: “We know that football is a huge part of our commu- nity. The spirit of the game lives beyond the Silkmen. “It’s also there in our streets, parks, and homes. The kids playing in gar- dens, the school squads, the five-a-side work teams, and all the unsung heroes, from the coaches to the kit-wash- ers! We want to share their stories.” The exhibition will run from June 17 to September 5 and ahead of its opening museum chiefs have issued an open call-out for peo- ple to submit their stories and photographs. Natalie said: “Whether it’s a memory of a muddy Sun- day league match, a family tradition of playing football in the park, or a snapshot of the washing line covered in clean kit, we’d love to see it. “The exhibition will be on in the Corridor Gallery, next to our permanent display on football in Macclesfield, and we’ll try to display as many of the photographs as possible. “It will be a wonderful opportunity for locals to be part of the museum, and to see their stories shared alongside many others.” People who want to take park can submit their pho- tos and stories by visiting the museum’s website. The deadline for submissions is Saturday May 16. The museum has also been working with photographer Dan Fone to put together a ‘top tips guide’ for capturing great photographs, and he has also delivered a free pho- tography workshop as part of the project. NEWSINBRIEF MACCLESFIELD Town Council is looking to recruit a dynamic, creative and experienced events manager. It says the ideal candidate will bring fresh ideas and energy to Macclesfield’s town centre and surrounding wards, building on the success of past events. POLICE launched an appeal for information following a burglary at Bollington Fire Station. The raid is believed to have occurred between 9.45pm and 11pm on Wednesday April 15. Cutting equipment was taken and a fire engine damaged. EAST Cheshire NHS Trust’s Stoma Team is launching a new support group, with the first meeting taking place on Thursday April 30 from 2-4pm. The session will be held at Prestbury Village Hall and is open to anyone living with a stoma, along with their family members and carers. There is no need to book. EAST Cheshire Hospice’s much loved Starlight Walk made a welcome return to Capesthorne Hall. Around 350 people took part in the event which saw walkers set off into the grounds as dusk fell to enjoy moments of remembrance and celebration. Celebrating the beautiful game Grassroots: The exhibition aims to capture the spirit of the game (Photo credit: The SilkMuseum) Road safety drive gets results THE deadline for a com- munity art competition celebrating life in Poyn- ton has been extended. Artists now have until May 4 to interpret the theme “Why I Love Living in Poyn- ton” and a chance to feature in a local exhibition. Organised by housebuilder Elan Homes, the company behind the new Hazelfield development in the town, it is open to all ages and abilities, with entries welcomed in any medium, including drawing, painting, photography, col- lage and mixed media. Elan regional sales and marketing director Marie Morris said: “The idea behind hosting an art competition and exhibition is celebrate the local area. “The weather recently has perhaps made capturing the neighbourhood at its best a little tricky and so we’ve decided to extend the dead- line for entries. “Hopefully this will give people the time to draw, paint or photograph some spring blooms along with the people and places that make Poyn- ton special. “Artwork should be taken to the sales centre at Hazelf- ields, where participants will need to fill in an entry form, including explain- ing the inspiration behind their submission. “This will help our panel of judges select up to 20 pieces of art to be exhibited within the development where they’ll be subject to a public vote.” There are three age cat- egories: children (11 and under); young people (12–17); adults (18+). A4 sized submissions can be delivered to Hazelfields on Hazelbadge Road, Monday to Thursday between 10am and 5pm before May 4. Entry forms are available at the development for participants to complete. This will include provid- ing a short caption (max 50 words) explaining the inspira- tion behind the artwork. Up to 20 pieces of artwork, selected by an Elan panel of judges, will be exhibited at Hazelfields from May 25 to June 22. Visitors to the art exhibition will be able to cast their votes for their favourite entries. The winner in each age group will receive a £50 Trafford Cen- tre voucher. WORK is underway on Grove Street in Wilmslow as part of an £80,000 plan to improve the town centre. Wilmslow Town Council, which is funding the project, says it is “an important step in enhancing the town cen- tre for residents, businesses, and visitors”. The works include improve- ments to the footway and carriageway and drainage and repairs to surfacing around existing trees. The initial works will cost £65,000 and are being carried out by Cheshire East Council as the principal authority. Town mayor Sally Harri- son, said: “We are delighted to see work begin on these much-needed repairs and improvements to Grove Street, including a range of smaller CHESHIRE Po l i c e launched a day of action on roads across the east of the county. Officers from Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe took part in the operation, stop- ping almost 60 drivers during the day. Using powers under Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act, police stopped 24 vehicles in Macclesfield, 21 in Crewe and 12 in Congleton. Police say more than half of the drivers were found to be committing road traffic offences. These included using mobile phones while driving, failing to wear seatbelts, and drivers not taking due care behind the wheel. Officers also conducted eight searches of vehicles and drivers in the opera- tion, which was part of a national initiative. Police Sergeant Claudia Bolton, of Macclesfield Local Policing Unit, said: “This operation is about engaging with as many road users as possible, promoting road safety, and enforcing road traf- fic legislation where necessary and proportionate. “Of the near 60 drivers we spoke to over the course of the day of action, well over half were issued with road traffic tickets for a number of offences, including lack of insurance and vehicle regis- tration issues.” She added: “We want all Celebrating life through art road users to think about how they drive, consider the con- ditions of the road and assess their surroundings to help reduce the risk of serious and fatal collisions that can have devastating consequences for many people. “We are always extremely proactive in our approach to tackling offending motorists and are committed to doing all we can to make our roads safer for everyone. We do not simply do this for the sake of it; we do it to save people’s lives.” Street gets a makeover Delighted: Town mayor Sally Harrison says the work will make a real di!erence (Photo credit: Wilmslow Town Council) enhancements that will make a real difference to the look and feel of the area, as well as the removal of the blue tree barriers that have been part of the street scene for some time. “We know from our lat- est annual residents’ survey how important improving the town’s appearance – par- ticularly Grove Street – is to residents, so we are proud to support and fund these works. “These projects take time to bring forward, as they require careful planning and approval in partnership with Cheshire East Council, and we appreci- ate the collaboration involved in reaching this stage.” The 18-day project, which is set to finish at the end of April, has led to phased road closures and she added: “We thank residents, businesses, and visitors for their patience. “While there is never a per- fect time for disruption, we are confident that the long- term benefits will make a real difference to the town centre.”